Comb Ridge to Grand Gulch — Cedar Mesa Plateau Rim to Anasazi Canyon Country via Kane Gulch
Anasazi canyon country at its most raw and real.
Kane Gulch Ranger Station sits at the end of a short but purposeful dirt road off UT-261 on Cedar Mesa, and it’s the gateway to Grand Gulch — one of the densest concentrations of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and rock art in the Colorado Plateau. The road itself is straightforward, but what it unlocks is not: Grand Gulch requires a day-use or overnight permit through Recreation.gov, and the BLM takes the cultural resources seriously. Junction Ruin and Turkey Pen Ruin are within a day’s hike, but the road access to Kane Gulch plus the spur tracks south toward Bullet Canyon make this a legitimate overland staging circuit across the mesa top.
The mesa-top roads are high-clearance two-track on slickrock and sand — passable in a stock 4WD with decent all-terrain tires, but flash flood closures can trap you on the mesa with no warning. Permits are required year-round for Grand Gulch entry; quota is strictly enforced. Water is nonexistent on the mesa — carry everything. Dispersed camping on BLM land outside the primitive area is allowed. Best season is March through May and September through November. Cell service is nonexistent; a satellite communicator is not optional in this country.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 26 mi / 41.8 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Blanding, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Monticello Field Office |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Kane Gulch Ranger Station Grand Gulch permit portal |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this without any mods?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle handles this route. The dirt, rock, and sand surfaces don't demand a lift, but you'll want decent all-terrain tires and functioning low-range for the rockier shelf sections near the rim.
What months are actually driveable — does snow or mud close this out?
Stick to March through May or September through November. Summer heat is brutal and monsoon rains turn the clay-heavy dirt sections into axle-sucking mud; winter snow and ice on the plateau make the rim approach genuinely sketchy.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or just to hike into Grand Gulch?
A permit is required to enter the Grand Gulch Primitive Area — grab it through the Recreation.gov portal before you leave home. The BLM Kane Gulch Ranger Station manages day-use and overnight permits; quotas fill fast in spring and fall, so book early.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The shelf road dropping off the Cedar Mesa plateau toward the canyon country is the crux — narrow, loose rock, with exposure on one side and no room to pass oncoming traffic. It's not technical crawling, but one bad line or a moment of inattention can put a wheel off the edge.
Is there any water source on route, or do I need to carry everything from Blanding?
There is no reliable water source on the drive itself — carry all drinking water from Blanding before you roll out. If you're hiking into Grand Gulch from Kane Gulch, seasonal water exists in the canyon but requires treatment; don't count on it without a solid filter setup.
Trail track
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